NFL Draft Linebackers Top 10

1. OLB Jaylon Smith (Jr. 6-2 235) Notre Dame

Round Grade: 1st Rd Top-10Bench Press: 24 reps40-Yard Dash: NACareer Stats: 38 games, 284 total tackles, 168 solo tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 fumbles forced, 3 fumbles recovered and 10 passes defended. Notes: Smith has insane athleticism and would be ranked higher on many big boards this draft season if it wasn't for an injury. He has great versatility, making him capable of playing any position in the linebacker core. If he fully recovers, he could be a future star.

3. OLB/RB Myles Jack (Jr. 6-1 245) UCLA

Round Grade: Mid-1st RdBench Press:19 reps40-Yard Dash: NACareer Stats: 29 games, 178 total tackles, 117 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble forced, 2 fumbles recovered, 19 passes broken up, 4 interceptions, 387 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry and 11 rushing touchdowns.Notes: An iron man in modern day college football is rare, but Jack played both sides of the ball at UCLA and he has the talent to be either position, linebacker or running back, in the NFL. However, linebacker will likely suit him best. Jack was a defensive playmaker on the collegiate level and he will likely continue that pattern as a professional if he rebounds from his knee injury.

4. DE/OLB Noah Spence (6-2 248) Eastern Kentucky

Round Grade: Late-1st RdBench Press:25 reps40-Yard Dash:4.75 secCareer Stats: (At Eastern Kentucky) 11 games, 63 total tackles, 31 solo tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 3 fumbles forced, and 2 fumbles recovered. (At Ohio State) 24 games, 64 total tackles, 31 solo tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and 1 fumble forced.Notes: Spence uses his athleticism to cover the field well from sideline-to-sideline, while playing to the end of every play. He has great burst off the line and versatile enough to play at linebacker or lineman, as he has plenty experience with both his hands in the dirt and standing up. Spence failed drug tests at Ohio State and he is surely being interrogated further by NFL teams, but he did manage to stay clean once transferring to Eastern Kentucky.

5. OLB Darron Lee (r-So. 6-1 236) Ohio State

Round Grade: Early-2nd RdBench Press: 17 reps40-Yard Dash:4.47 secCareer Stats: 28 games/starts, 147 total tackles, 90 solo tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 3 fumbles forced, 4 fumbles recovered, 3 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns.Notes: Lee is an athletic linebacker with blazing field speed and a playmaker on defense. He can also help in pass coverage, but he has bad balance and is slightly undersized for an NFL linebacker.

6. ILB Scooby Wright (Jr. 6-0 237) Arizona

Round Grade: Early-2nd RdBench Press:22 reps40-Yard Dash:4.87 secCareer Stats: 30 games, 269 total tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 6 fumbles forced, 1 pass broken up and 1 interception.Notes: Wright is a high energy linebacker with outstanding instincts and play recognition. He is a consistent tackler who gets in the backfield often. His pass coverage ability is limited though.

8. OLB Leonard Floyd (Jr. 6-6 248) Georgia

Round Grade: Early/Mid-2nd RdBench Press: NA40-Yard Dash: 4.60 secCareer Stats: 38 games, 32 starts, 184 total tackles, 92 solo tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 54 quarterback pressures, 5 fumbles forced, 2 fumbles recovered and 4 passes broken up.Notes: The former Bulldog is a fast rush linebacker with incredible burst off the line. Floyd can line up all over the field, but he needs to add bulk and strength to be effective at the next level as an edge rusher and in run defense.

9. OLB/ILB Deion Jones (Sr. 6-1 221) LSU

Round Grade: Mid/Late-2nd RdBench Press: 18 reps40-Yard Dash: 4.38 secCareer Stats: 51 games, 12 starts, 165 total tackles, 80 solo tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble forced, 2 fumbles recovered, 4 passes broken up and 2 interceptions.Notes: Jones is an exceptionally athletic linebacker, who would best fit as a nickel or weakside LB and possibly as a 3-4 ILB. He is undersized in terms of weight and will have to add pounds. He could contribute on special teams as well.